It's fine to say we have a problem with pit bulls in this country, because we do, but don't ignore facts.
If you say the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Terrier were never bred to be companion dogs, then you are ignoring over a century of history.
In particular, to say Staffordshire Terriers were never bred to be companion dogs is to deny the existence of the breed.
You and I both agree that we have a 'pit bull' problem in this country, but I doubt we'll agree on much else.
agreed. I appreciate your Freeper civility in addressing someone you don’t agree with (me) with marked Freeper civility.
PS: I was referring to the breeding of pit fighting dogs
and here’s one source I based my comment on:
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Q: What is the history of the pit bull?
The blood sport of “bull baiting” began over 1,000 years ago in England (various sources dispute this date). What is undisputed is that by 1500, bull baiting had progressed to Britain’s national pastime. Bulldogs were reportedly first mentioned by name in 1631, referring to their function rather than a distinct dog breed. By 1800, and through further selective breeding, the bulldog developed into a compact muscular dog characterized by tremendous jaw strength.2
Due to public outrage, bull baiting was banned in England in 1835. Bulldog breeders and owners then moved to the sport of “ratting,” where a number of rats were placed into a pit and wagers were made on how many rats the dog could kill in a certain time period. To increase agility, quickness and prey-drive in the bulldog, ratters crossed the breed with terriers. Essentially, it was the sport of ratting that combined the bulldog and terrier into the modern day pit bull terrier.
On the heels of ratting, dogfighting developed. Pit bulls and dogfighting were exported to America as settlers made their way to the New World. In 1884, the American Kennel Club was formed but rejected pit bulls due to their use in dogfighting. In response, Chauncey Z. Bennett formed the United Kennel Club in 1898 to bring formal recognition to the pit bull breed. At that time, Bennett also drew up rules and regulations for dogfighting to bring “organization” to the blood sport.3
Q: What is dogfighting and what does it have to do with pit bulls?
Pit bulls are the dog of choice amongst dogmen, individuals who fight their pit bulls against other pit bulls. Dogmen consider pit bull terriers, who they commonly call “100% bulldogs,” to be the ultimate canine gladiator. Pit bulls were selectively bred for “gameness,” the ability to finish a fight. A truly gamedog will continue fighting “on stumps,” two or more broken legs, and far worse.4 (Please see excerpts from The Complete Gamedog, by Ed and Chris Faron to learn more).